The prevalence of thyroid nodules and its factors among Chinese adult women: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of thyroid nodules in Chinese adult women. To analyze the relationships between lifestyle, metabolic syndrome and thyroid nodules. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in the tertiary hospital from 2017 to 2019. Included participants underwent thyroid color Doppler ultrasonography, lipids examination, and dietary evaluation. RESULTS: Totally 2,784 participants were included, and 933 participants were found to have thyroid nodule(s) by B-ultrasound. The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 33.3%. Women in 50-59 years (OR: 1.746, 95% CI [1.356-2.249]), older than 60 (2.147 [1.540-2.993]) and occupations with mainly manual work (1.780 [1.367-2.317]) were risk factors for thyroid nodules, while moderate dietary diversity (0.624 [0.476-0.817]) and normal triglycerides level (0.739 [0.604-0.905]) were protective factors. CONCLUSION: Women over 50 and those whose jobs are mainly manual should enhance screening, follow-up and health management of thyroid nodules. Higher dietary diversity is protective measures against thyroid nodules for adult women and should consider dietary balance and the food varieties, not just increased quantities.